Archives for March 2017

On Wednesday, FC Dallas departed for Mexico, but this is no pleasure cruise for head coach Oscar Pareja and team. FCD is venturing south of the border to prepare for what might be the most important match in club history – the second leg of the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) semifinals next Wednesday at CF Pachuca in Mexico.

On March 15, Dallas defeated Los Tuzos (the Gophers) 2-1 at Toyota Stadium, but this game will be a much different animal for FCD, mainly because of a factor we’re not accustomed to here in Frisco…. the altitude.

Pachuca sits 7,979 feet above sea level. Compare that to Denver, which is between 1,600 and 1,700 feet, the highest altitude FCD plays at during a normal Major League Soccer season. So, Dallas will spend most of the next week training in Puebla, at just over 7,000 feet, trying to acclimate their bodies in time to be ready for next Wednesday’s clash with Pachuca.

Pareja, who is a native of Colombia, knows a thing or two about what it’s like to play at such a high elevation, something he did rather regularly in South America prior to coming to MLS.

“I’ve played in Bolivia. I think that’s over 3,000 meters (9,843 feet),” Pareja said. “Sometimes you feel it, but I think at the same time, your heart and your mind has to be strong enough to handle it.”

While the primary goal of these training sessions is acclimating his players to the higher elevation, they must also prepare for what promises to be a fierce battle with Pachuca. The winner will advance to the CCL Finals and the loser of the two-game, aggregate-goals series, is out of the tournament. Pareja also wants to get several players returning from recent injuries as close to full fitness as possible.

Just trying to get the team together for five days before the game,” Pareja said. “At the same time, we’re acclimating the team to the altitude as much as we can, making sure that the things that we can control, we will do them right.”

Dallas can leave DFW early because its road match with Colorado at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 1, has been rescheduled for October. FCD captain Matt Hedges speaks for the entire team in saying that extra time they have in Mexico to properly acclimate to altitude should pay dividends come next Wednesday.

“The altitude is a real killer there,” Hedges said. “It’s several thousand feet higher than Denver, which is the highest place we play most of the time. So, I think getting there a couple days, maybe a week, early and training and getting acclimated will help us.”

The conventional school of thought for a team traveling to a game at a much higher elevation is to either travel in less than 24 hours before the game so that the effects of the higher elevation are minimized or to travel in a week before to get acclimated.

FCD is clearly doing the latter, a trip which Pareja sees as another outstanding opportunity for his team, which has several new faces, to become even closer as a group.

“We have a few guys that are new to the club, that always helps at this stage of the year, to jell with them by getting together to understand much more what we want, so that’s another thing that helps,” Pareja said.

Dallas traveled for a good part of their preseason, including a productive stay in Argentina that spanned over a week. It’s hard to argue with the results thus far, as through three league games, FCD has seven points, second-most in the Western Conference behind Portland who has played one more game. FCD currently leads MLS with 2.33 points per game.

A tightly-knit group was one reason in 2016 Dallas won the MLS Supporters’ Shield, given to the team finishing with the top regular-season record, for the first time in 2016 and also why FCD captured its second US Open Cup championship in club history. And, at least for the club’s captain, any chance to become closer as a unit is never a bad thing, especially this early in the season.

“Yeah, I think definitely spend a lot of time together in the hotel, at team meals, practices. Just being together for that week, it is really helpful,” Hedges said. “We saw that in Argentina. I think our team chemistry has been very good this season. This can only make it stronger.”

As someone who has made coaching basketball his life, Bob MacKinnon Jr.has had a successful career at the collegiate and professional level. He prides himself on making a point to never lie to or about his players. When the first-year Texas Legends head coach was recently asked for his thoughts on point guard Pierre Jackson, who spent part of this season with the Mavericks, his response was especially meaningful.

Well, he knows how to play,” MacKinnon Jr. said of Jackson. “I think he’s one of the best guards I’ve ever coached, and I’ve coached 25 years in college and now seven years in the pros. He knows how to get everybody involved. He plays at a great pace… He never gets hurried and he just kind of brings a calmness to the team.”

At only 25 years old, Pierre Jackson has played in the NBA both in December and again in January before a hamstring injury forced the Dallas Mavericks to cut him loose. In his 10 NBA games, Jackson averaged 3.9 points, 2.1 assists and one rebound per game, and the veteran point guard earned rave reviews from longtime Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle.

He just said he loves the way I can score and get others involved. Given enough time, I feel like I could have been a good contributor for that team,” Jackson said of Coach Carlisle. “He liked my energy and what I could bring on the defensive end and the offensive end at that level.”

Jackson has spent the bulk of the season this year in the D-League and in his 19 games to date with the Legends, he averaged 24.9 points, 7.2 Assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.

Those numbers earned him a spot in the 2017 NBA D-League All-Star Game, which was part of NBA All-Star Weekend in February down in New Orleans. But Jackson has been a D-League All-Star before, earning that honor several years back with Idaho.

It’s always good, obviously. You getting noticed as one of the better players in the league. It’s an honor,” Jackson said. “It’s where you want to strive to be. Other than winning games, you want to be one of the better players in the league if not the best player in the league. It’s an honor to be an all-star in any league I play in.”

Jackson’s road to reach the NBA has been a winding one. Originally drafted by New Orleans in 2013, his rights were traded to Philadelphia on draft night. He spent his first few seasons in Philly, but never played and spent most of his time in the D-League with the Idaho Stampede where he first earned D-League All-Star honors.

This Baylor grad has also played overseas, first in Turkey and again in Croatia, where he played to start this season before returning stateside to the D-League.

During his time with the Dallas Mavericks, due to his age and professional experience, Jackson was technically a rookie, but was still treated like your average NBA newcomer. Newbies can experience certain rookie rites of passage which for some teams can mean lugging a garish pink backpack around and bringing food and drinks to his veteran teammates.

No, it’s weird. I’m a rookie but I’m not really. I got drafted like four years ago. I was with Philly for two years. I just didn’t play a game, so I’ve kind of been around, but I just haven’t gotten a chance to play a game. So some of the guys didn’t view me as a rookie,” Jackson said.

But even with most of his Dallas teammates not viewing him as a typical rookie, Pierre still had several rookie rites he had to endure.

Yeah, I had to get food for the trips and stuff on the road. We had a little backpack, it wasn’t bad. I was already used to carrying a backpack with my daughter. So it was easy for me… an easy transition,” Jackson said.

Jackson knows that were it not for his hamstring issue that forced the Mavs to cut him in late January, he might still be in the NBA. And, like every player in the D-League, returning to the Association remains his primary goal. However, he also knows since he remains with the Legends, he can continue honing his game while also mentoring his younger teammates, like Bryson Fonville, who all want to know firsthand exactly what life is like in the basketball big time.

Jackson is one of several players who have suited up for the Legends this season who have NBA experience, a quality his coach likes especially in terms of them mentoring their younger teammates who want to reach that pinnacle.

Coach Mac has no doubt that Jackson is an NBA-caliber player. Now, all he must do is overcome one question which explains why he hasn’t been signed to return to the league yet.

He’s got to show people he’s healthy and then get the right opportunity. You saw his last game with the Mavs… He was starting to explode and then he got hurt,” MacKinnon Jr. said. “It’s not a long-term thing, but now he’s got to show people that he’s healthy again. I think he’s the best point guard in our league. So, if any NBA team is looking for a point guard, he’s a pure point guard who can score the ball. If anyone’s looking for that, then I think he’s the guy.”

Frisco is known for its particularly high standards for homes and neighborhoods, and Heather Ridge Estates shines as a well-established and maintained neighborhood. If you’re looking to move to Frisco (or within), Heather Ridge Estates is a highly desirable neighborhood to move to.

Location

Heather Ridge Estates is located just to the west of Dallas North Tollway on the northeast corner of Main Street and Teel Parkway.

Restaurants and Shopping

All corners of Main and Teel are bustling with new and established restaurants and shopping. The northeast corner of Main and Teel includes Texas’ first location of the famous Hurts Donut Co. (open 25 hours a day/8 days a week) along with Marco’s Pizza and Frisco’s long time staple, Double Dip.

The southeast corner of Main and Teel includes a Signature Kroger for grocery shopping, Salsa’s Tex Mex, and Napoli’s Italian restaurant. Located in the southwest corner, you’ll find Fuzzy’s Taco’s, Shoji Sushi, and Hibachi Grill, as well as a post office for convenience. Heather Ridge Estates is conveniently located just minutes from Frisco Square, also on Main Street, which offers additional local dining, drinking, shopping, and entertainment options.

Homes

Heather Ridge Estates was built between 2000-2006 and has approximately 500 homes. A majority of homes in Heather Ridge Estates are two-story homes ranging between 3000 and 5000 square feet. In 2016, the average sales price of Heather Ridge homes was $451,854. Pride of ownership may be seen throughout Heather Ridge Estates as homes, yards, and fences are well maintained with beautiful landscaping and curb appeal.

Amenities

Heather Ridge Estates has an amenity center and playground located at the north side of the neighborhood. Heather Ridge Estates residents are active in the community and boast a full social calendar that includes nights out for families, Casino Nights for adults, as well as movie nights for the kids, in addition to neighborhood garage sales and other events. Residents participate in hosting block parties during the City of Frisco’s Community Awareness Night. HRE residents keep connected through various social media channels.

Schools

Heather Ridge Estates feeds into the following schools and has easy access to Collin County Community College and the University of North Texas in Denton.

Carroll Elementary School

Cobb Middle School

Wakeland High School

Leadership Prep School (Charter)

Fitness

Heather Ridge Estates residents have easy access to the City of Frisco’s new community park, Cottonwood Creek Park, a 130-acre linear park which has hiking and biking trails as well as three fishing ponds. Currently, the park runs east and west between Shaddock Creek Estates and Heather Ridge Estates from Teel Parkway to just east of Legacy at Wakeland High School. There are also many official city biking trails very close to Heather Ridge Estates.

Interesting Tidbits

Heather Ridge Estates is an inviting and welcoming neighborhood with a tight-knit Facebook page where they share updates, events, and invites that connect all the neighbors.

Dining & Nightlife

What MOVES You?

Exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail in this Bob Bobbitt Custom Home with 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, downstairs media room and wetbar, plus 4-car oversized garage. This home has it all including a private elevator, 850-bottle refrigerated wine cellar, his and her… (find out more!)

Immaculate 4 bedroom or 3 bedroom with an office with 3 full baths. Upgraded granite counter-tops in all bathrooms as well as the gorgeous open kitchen. Crown molding throughout the entire home. Beautiful stone fireplace and a NO maintenance backyard! This house is… (find out more!)

Deals & Discounts

The Entrepreneur Summit Dallas is coming in March. Save $50 off your ticket when you use code “FRISCO.”Register Now. If you’re a business owner, don’t miss this event!

PogoPass: Get a $124.95 PogoPass for NOW ONLY $39.98 (price just dropped $10 this week) when you use code: FRISCO. You’ll have access to some of the most fun venues around town this summer including the Frisco RoughRiders, Sci-Tech Discovery Center, Fort Worth Zoo, Texas Discovery Gardens, and many, many more!

GET READY FOR:

“Doug Box’s Story of Privilege, Scandal, and Loss” – On Thursday, April 6th, from 7pm to 8:30pm, come hear the author speak at the Frisco Public Library on his book Texas Patriarch: A Legacy Lost, the story of his family’s financial rise and fall. Box will discuss his father, Cloyce Box, the family’s estate and ranch’s role as “Southfork” in the iconic television series, Dallas, and the financial and emotional losses sustained by his family.

“ART IN THE ATRIUM 14” – Beginning Monday, April 10th, the City of Frisco will display current, 2-Dimensional works of art by artists from Frisco and the surrounding area for the 14th installment of Art in the Atrium.

For several years, doctors and those in the wellness profession have been espousing the virtues of eating a Mediterranean-style diet consisting primarily of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats.

Frisco has several Mediterranean-themed eateries that offer great examples of foods prevalent in Mediterranean diet. Mary’s Mediterranean Café and Grill on the northwest corner of Eldorado Parkway and Dallas Parkway is one of the latest entrants into this market.

From delicious and reasonably-priced pita wrap sandwiches, which include the choice of a gyro, to chicken shawarma, falafel, chicken kabob, beef kafta, steak kabob, or a lamb kabob, Mary’s serves Mediterranean and Lebanese fresh and healthy food.

Their sandwiches can be ordered alone or as part of a combo accompanied by either a side salad or a vegetable and a drink.

Diners can also order the same dishes without bread as part of Mary’s “Fresh Meats” section of their menu. There’s also a “Meat of the Day” which includes healthy options like broiled lamb shank, fish fillet, Mary’s Chicken, or a Rosemary Baked Chicken.

Mary’s Mediterranean also offers several different platters, including a custom platter where diners can choose a meat along with one, two, or even three sides. There’s also a Mary’s Sampler featuring four sides and a meat, a veggie sampler, a falafel platter, and a Mary’s Salad Bowl.

As for your side items, there is the customary mix like couscous, tabbouleh, or a Greek salad along with the usual dips like Baba Ghanoush and hummus. Of course, Mary’s also serves tzatziki sauce, usually a yogurt-based condiment which makes the best gyros taste even better.

Mary’s creates dolmas, a meat and rice mixture wrapped in grape leaves. And of course, the usual desserts of baklava and cashew lady fingers are also on the menu.

This bastion of healthy eating has a nice, open dining room, and it’s a perfect casual spot to share a delicious and healthy meal with your family or to grab a quick meal on the go.

Ordering at Mary’s is straightforward and easy. Just walk up to a counter and place your order. Your food is then made to order and ready several minutes later.

On both of my visits to Mary’s, I ordered a gyro a la carte to go and on both occasions, I waited no longer than five minutes, so if you’re a gyro aficionado like I am, you won’t be disappointed.

The meat in their gyros has savory flavor and there’s plenty of it, and the pita bread holding this tasty choice is also quite substantial. In short, the gyros at Mary’s are filling and almost make ordering a side or a salad with them seem unnecessary. But I can say the baklava is another must-try on their menu.

With a combination of fresh food, friendly service, along with healthy and affordable options, Mary’s Mediterranean is a welcome addition to the local dining scene.

The Junior League of Collin County (JLCC) is celebrating a milestone 40th anniversary, and to celebrate those 40 years, JLCC members and their families will participate in 40 projects throughout the community on one day on Saturday, March 25th. Volunteers will be found stocking food pantries, cleaning-up sites projects, delivering supplies, and much more to serve a variety of issue areas in the community such as family violence, literacy, health, hunger, homelessness, and quality of life.

The day will kick-off at JLCC Headquarters at 9:00am with a presentation by Former Texas State Senator Florence Shapiro and Former Mayor Pat Evans followed by a reception including several Plano Service League Founding Members, Collin County Mayors, Past Presidents of Plano Service League, Junior League of Plano and Junior League of Collin County, JLCC Membership, Community Advisory Board and Community Partners. The 40 project volunteers will depart from there for a day of service. for the beneficiaries listed below.

In 40 years, JLCC has contributed 750,619 volunteer hours and $7,252,726 in direct impact funds to the community through non-profit organizations serving Collin County. At the heart of the JLCC mission is volunteerism. JLCC is a group of 900 women strong committed to developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Not only does the community benefit from their individual contributions through JLCC, the valuable leadership skills are carried throughout the members’ lives expanding the impact multifold. JLCC focuses on signature impact areas of Family Violence, Literacy, Health, Children and Youth, and Quality of Life.

The Junior League of Collin County started 40 years ago as the Plano Service League by 13 women who wanted to make changes in their community. We are now an organization of nearly 1000 women who volunteer everyday to empower our community in the areas of education, health and wellness, economic security and community services. Our mission is to train and develop women into leaders in their community and their leadership in community service improves the lives of families in Collin County every day. We are still dedicated to continuing that mission today,” stated President of the JLCC, Maria Moffatt.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

To meet the growing needs of the Collin County area, the JLCC exercises process improvement to remain nimble to serve those in need, and to forecast the issue areas that will face Collin County in the future. JLCC offers open membership selection, welcoming women at all stages of their lives to join. A majority of the membership is employed full-time outside the home and juggles many responsibilities while still meeting the call to serve. It is critical to provide vast offerings of training to equip volunteers today. Courses include Go Govern to expose member to local government service, Facilitative Leadership and Essential Facilitation, Nonprofit Excellence Workshops and personal leadership development.

JLCC HISTORY

This organization was founded in 1976 by thirteen visionary women who fully committed themselves to improving their evolving community at a time when Plano, Texas was becoming one of the fastest growing communities in the country. They formed the Plano Service League as they recognized there were needs in the community, and they wanted to meet those needs. The Plano Service League became the Junior League of Plano, and was admitted to the Association of Junior Leagues International in February of 1984, becoming the 255th League to join AJLI.

In 2011, the Junior League of Plano adopted a new name, the Junior League of Collin County, to more accurately reflect the growing countywide membership and expanding community impact. Our League has a deep history in the Collin County community, and through the decades, our members have remained committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community. Evidence of this impactful work can be seen all across our community, as our members have engaged in community building since the earliest days of the League, and Junior League of Collin County members engage and commit to making positive change and serving as leaders across the community.

LASTING CHANGE

The Junior League of Collin County is a driving force behind the kind of initiatives that make Collin County a healthier and safer place to live. JLCC has played a key role in the establishment and continued development of these organizations:

Juvenile Detention Center

Volunteer Center of Collin County

Children’s Advocacy Center

Substance Abuse Prevention Agency of Collin County

Hope’s Door Women’s Shelter

Serenity High

Plano Community Garden

Sci-Tech Discovery Center

Collin County Council on Family Violence

Juvenile Mentoring Program (JuMP)

HopeWorks

40 Anniversary Project List:

Agape Resource & Assistance Center

Allen Community Outreach

ArtCentre of Plano

Brain Injury Network of Dallas

Boys & Girls Club Collin County

Carter BloodCare

Children’s Health Legacy

Cornerstone Assistance Network of North Central Texas

Wylie Draper Intermediate School

Frisco Family Services ReSale

Grace Bridge Food Bank

Grace Bridge ReSale Store

Grace To Change

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

Heritage Farmstead Museum

Heritage Guide of Collin County

Hope’s Door New Beginning Center

Hugs Café

Kids in the Kitchen

LifePath Services

McKinney ISD Special Olympics

Minis and Friends North Texas

My Friend’s House

My Possibilities

North Collin County Habitat for Humanity

Plano Garden Club

Plano HEAD START

Plano ISD CORE Store

Samaritan Inn

Special Olympics of Plano

The Birthday Project

The Family Place

The Legacy Senior Communities

The Salvation Army Plano Corps

The Texas Pool

The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center

This Side Up! Family Center

Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano, Legacy Chapter

Carter BloodCare will be onsite at JLCC Headquarters Saturday, March 25th, from 8:30am – 10:30am, and then at Market Street Plano from 12noon to 4:00pm with the goal of collecting blood to save 40 lives.

In addition, collection drives are in progress to support many of the projects and donations from the community can be accepted at JLCC Headquarters on March 25th or in advance. Items include: canned food, diapers, wipes, small toiletries, individual craft activities, new women’s plain t-shirts, cotton pants, undergarments, plain canvas bags, small journals/note pads, pine sol, razors, and fleece.